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A while back I came across this comment right here on TL.
On February 25 2011 23:38 Archduke wrote:
I want to address your criticisms of my ideas, starting at the beginning. "This guy soudns like [he's] trying so hard to sound smart." I do try hard. I believe that the most admirable thing that anyone can do is to try hard.
I found this quote very insightful. It has stuck with me enough that I went back to dig it up and try to understand why.
To try hard means to invest a complete, genuine effort in doing something. In admitting that one has tried hard, it means they take pride in what they have committed to. It shows that it is important to them.
This is something that sometimes takes considerable courage to do. By revealing our strong passion in something, we are open to criticism and ridicule. People may shun the matter as inferior and frivolous. The public sphere, and the internet, can be a harsh place where little regard is given to personal views and sympathy. Attacks on our ideas feel like attacks on our selves.
To try hard means one has tackled a challenge to the full extent of their capacity. They have taken the issue seriously and present an accordingly serious response. It acknolwedges due respect given to the other party.
The opposite of trying hard is dismissive disregard or a lack of care. It has sometimes become a trendy, popular, and widely touted attitude to have in our culture. “Not giving a fuck” is often seen as a fast and easy solution to fixing all of life’s problems. (see Jon Lajoie’s “F**k everything”)
It is not a total mystery why that is. Sometimes people are legitimately emotionally overinvested in a certain issue. Stepping back to get a cooler head and reducing one’s personal involvement can often be the best solution in such situations. For other more chronic problems, clearing it from your mind means it will no longer affect your mental being. Out of sight is out of mind. While it doesn’t fix the actual problem, pain and burden is reduced when no care is given.
By not caring about anything, we render ourselves invincible. Nothing that has happened or will happen matters. Nothing phases us. We live based on the circumstances that arise, and do little to try to affect what those circumstances are. Our values and beliefs hold no worth, and therefore, when they are violated, we lose nothing. We are invincible from hurt or attack because we just don’t care.
The above description actually sounds like a state of pure bliss, an equivalent of heaven. If the meaning of life is to be happy, then one has won at life if they actually somehow achieve such a mental state. It is complete liberation.
But that is not a realistic or endorsed goal. As with everything else in life, such ideas must be balanced with moderation. But there are some people who seem to have accepted this notion of living a care-free, low stress lifestyle. This approach may not be suitable for everyone.
The danger of not caring is that we grow complacent and unproductive. We fail to live up to our potential. We fail to push the boundaries, take risks, and challenge the circumstances that hold us back. Caring is essential if we want to improve. Especially as my audience here is extensively young people/adults, at this stage of our lives, trying hard now is our investment for the future. As my grade 6 teacher once said, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. There is much truth to this statement.
One aspect I could not help but link this discussion to is social unrest and politics. I can not tell if it is a function of media coverage bias, my own news consumption patterns, or just my personal failure of objectivity (impossible!), but it is difficult to deny the apparent increasing ruination of the world. Riots, political corruption and economic collapse are incessantly broadcast.
People have little faith in politics because it feels nothing they can do makes a difference. Even if they try as hard as they can, their efforts are met with resistance, delays, expenses, and regulations at so many levels. When, after having spent their best efforts to invoke change yet seeing only abject failure and waste as a result, there is little wonder they are quick to turn against the institutions that have brought on the problems. For others, they do not even know where to start to make their voice heard. Trying hard is futile if it yields no results.
Eventually, as a result of these problems, people no longer try, and instead fall back to the tried and true method of complaining, criticizing, and ridiculing the politicans in place that seem to wield all the power. Though I cannot claim to be a political expert, democratic models as they are run now are poorly designed and should be fundamentally overhauled from its basic foundations. It should also make use of the technology we have now. Using computers to solicit input (voting) from the population on individual issues seems like a natural development, for example.
But there exist some individuals who don’t give up. They continue to try to make a difference in their community. True, they often come with different opinions and values than you and I. But everyone can be expected to have unique personal platform. The large conflicts arise when those opinions are drastically different. Some are able to ascend into the echelons of public leaders who have power to make social changes. But these politicians must continue to uphold what their own beliefs dictate. To do otherwise would be completely irrational.
If for nothing else, public leaders can at least be commended for trying. I would say all those in such positions to legitimately and passionately care about how their communities are run. As I said it takes courage to lay out your beliefs for the world to trample and dismantle.
Then there is also the notion that those who run for office are the ones least suitable to do the job, and vice versa. If those who don’t try to run are the most suitable, why don’t they run? It is because the personality of someone who craves power is not compatible with the personality needed to control the power well. That is an over-generalization of course. The reality is, power is probably not as concentrated as cynics and conspiracy theorists seem to make it out to be.
So my last question is: where are the people who try hard to fix the perceived injustices around them? My guess is, probably where you’d expect them to be.
 
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I'm trying to give a fuck on giving a fuck.
Damn.
Do you have any recommended articles or books to read?
+ Show Spoiler + i came in expecting a sex-related thread
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i always thought i could assassinate george bush if i really put my mind to it
User was warned for this post
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I think two people have told me I try too hard in my life, both times it was on an internet forum, and I don't remember either of their usernames :O
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity.
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On August 28 2011 11:06 FFGenerations wrote:
i always thought i could assassinate george bush if i really put my mind to it
You must use the force.
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It is because giving a fuck can feel like something that you might have control over, while you don't have control over for example how good your memory is.
It is all just a delusion imo, but it can feel pretty persuasive.
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I don't know where those people are, and it seems to get increasingly unlikely for an individual to have evolved through life to forge a personality of a dedicated fixer of injustice. In the best case such a personality trait may become active from time to time, but gets balanced out or even overpowered by the urge to do injustice in order to gain advantages and secure privileges.
But yeah .. in this regard giving a fuck about doing justice takes courage maybe up to the point of madness.
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On August 28 2011 11:18 Chef wrote:
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity.
That's my motto too; however, I don't apply it to everything I do. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny.
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On August 28 2011 12:40 StarStruck wrote:Show nested quote +On August 28 2011 11:18 Chef wrote:
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity. That's my motto too; however, I don't apply it to everything I do. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny.
Yeah I agree, its not good to steal material from other people. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny.
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On August 28 2011 13:00 Bibbit wrote:Show nested quote +On August 28 2011 12:40 StarStruck wrote:On August 28 2011 11:18 Chef wrote:
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity. That's my motto too; however, I don't apply it to everything I do. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny. Yeah I agree, its not good to steal material from other people. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny.
You're trying too hard.
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On August 28 2011 13:04 Skipper240 wrote:Show nested quote +On August 28 2011 13:00 Bibbit wrote:On August 28 2011 12:40 StarStruck wrote:On August 28 2011 11:18 Chef wrote:
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity. That's my motto too; however, I don't apply it to everything I do. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny. Yeah I agree, its not good to steal material from other people. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny. You're trying too hard.
C'mon man I had to try really hard to be able to try this hard. -_-
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On August 28 2011 13:06 Bibbit wrote:
C'mon man I had to try really hard to be able to try this hard. -_-
Don't take it personally, I was just completing the circle (triangle?)!
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On August 28 2011 13:11 Skipper240 wrote:Show nested quote +On August 28 2011 13:06 Bibbit wrote:
C'mon man I had to try really hard to be able to try this hard. -_- Don't take it personally, I was just completing the circle (triangle?)!
Let me guess it was the -_- face that made me look like I was super serious? :O
It really is one of the more aggressive little smiley faces out there imo. 
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I agree that people in our generation have this non chalant approach to alot of things in life. I used to be like that, but lately i've been starting to change and actually making an effort to change things in and around my life. So far i've seen a few positive outcomes so I think i'll stick with it.
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On August 28 2011 13:00 Bibbit wrote:Show nested quote +On August 28 2011 12:40 StarStruck wrote:On August 28 2011 11:18 Chef wrote:
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity. That's my motto too; however, I don't apply it to everything I do. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny. Yeah I agree, its not good to steal material from other people. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny.
Cute :3
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This isn't really related to politics. Some people view trying hard as a negative thing, because they want to avoid feeling as if they are being pressured to try hard. When you really commit to an effort, you can't say "Oh I could've done it better if I had really tried". Facing your own limits can be a scary thing and some would rather lie to themselves about their own potential rather than actually find out what they can do.
I've come across a lot of people who think that way. They say they could become a famous musician, get into a good school, get better grades or even something as simple as get into master league. I've noticed that I've done it myself, though I try to avoid doing it as much as possible, because it will never get anyone anywhere.
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I was the one that said that to him and I didn't mean in the way you've interpreted.
I meant reading his post he sounded like a fake person. He was trying so hard to sound smart when nobody talks like that in real life. It felt like he was putting up an act sound smart. He was trying hard to be someone he's not.That's a bad thing!
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On August 28 2011 17:00 Sotamursu wrote:
.... "Oh I could've done it better if I had really tried." Facing your own limits can be a scary thing and some would rather lie to themselves about their own potential rather than actually find out what they can do.
I've come across a lot of people who think that way. They say they could become a famous musician, get into a good school, get better grades or even something as simple as get into master league. I've noticed that I've done it myself, though I try to avoid doing it as much as possible, because it will never get anyone anywhere.
Those are nothing more than excuses; it's a copout. Yes they can lie to themselves to try and make them feel better about their failures instead of facing them head-on and learning from their mistakes. To half-ass under that premise where you have a lot of control over the task like becoming a musician. No, it doesn't work that way. You really have no one to blame but yourself in that case.
When there are other people in the mix, that's when it becomes more complicated and you would need other skill sets in that environment.
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On August 28 2011 12:40 StarStruck wrote:Show nested quote +On August 28 2011 11:18 Chef wrote:
I don't think trying hard is the same as being unable to compromise or let things go. People I respect tend to work hard, but don't take themselves too seriously either. Honestly, I tend to put people who work hard and take themselves too seriously in different categories, because people who take themselves too seriously never have time to work hard—they're too busy defending their integrity. That's my motto too; however, I don't apply it to everything I do. For instance, comedy. I'm always working on my craft, but it has to come natural. I think some people try to overdo this and in fact, don't really provide their own material. It's borrowed and there is nothing hard about that. So, yes in some cases the try hard attitude applies, but in other cases. If you aren't funny. You just aren't funny.
I don't know. I think there's truth to what you're trying to get at, but at the same time I'm just thinking of what comedians do for a living. Comedians will come up with a routine and practice it in front of the mirror for as long as they have to, deliver it in a dozen different places, and deliver it almost the exact same way. They still make people laugh and they're good at what they do, but there's nothing natural about it. I guess the phrase 'try hard' is something that needs to be rigidly defined, because I know you're talking about too... When someone seems like they're trying to force comedy. IMO though that is just being bad at it, not necessarily a problem with trying hard? Stream of consciousness writing is something a lot of people fuck up because they think it is just writing every dumb thought they have, but in reality a lot of the best 'stream of consciousness' style authors edit heavily and it's more of an illusion on consciousness than actually being someone's thoughts.
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EPT
